Chapter 230 – The True and False Golden Tokens
The Imperial Guards and palace attendants stepped forward to verify their identities and inspect their belongings. Ye Jiao restrained her curiosity and held her questions until they entered the grand Daming Palace. Only when the eunuchs and maids had followed at a distance did she finally speak:
"Why not take the chance? While His Majesty is in good spirits, even saving one is worth the effort."
Li Ce turned his head to gaze at her, his steps slowing. The attendants behind them tactfully retreated a few paces, granting them privacy.
It was the hour of sunrise. From the heights of Longshou Plateau, one could overlook the imperial capital—majestic and awe-inspiring. Sunlight bathed the glazed rooftops of the Daming Palace in a dazzling golden hue. Yet none of that radiance compared to the woman before him.
She stood tall and poised, wrapped in layer upon layer of ceremonial robes that did not weigh her down, but rather enhanced her regal bearing. Her hair was adorned with pearls and jade ornaments, yet none could divert attention from her face—so luminous, so alive. Her eyes, shaped like peach blossoms, held neither arrogance nor fear, only a fierce hatred of injustice and a heart full of compassion.
Though he knew he would not sway her, Li Ce still advised,
"Father is still in a fit of anger. Pleading on someone's behalf now would only provoke him further."
Ye Jiao frowned.
"Then what are we to do? Though His Majesty ordered the Imperial Physician to tend to Yan Congzheng's injuries, he's kept him confined within the Yan residence, forbidding visitors. It's no different from imprisonment."
She had hoped that her merits in defending the Emperor might earn some leniency—but the Emperor's heart is hard to read, and that uncertainty filled her with unease.
Li Ce fell silent until they arrived before the Hall of Yan Ying. There, he finally murmured,
"If you wish to save Yan Congzheng, let me handle it."
His eyes flickered with complex emotion—understanding, support, and perhaps a trace of displeasure.
"Are you jealous?" Ye Jiao asked with a smile, nudging him playfully with her shoulder.
Li Ce dodged to the side, but she simply extended her arm and patted his back.
The eunuchs behind them stumbled back in shock, doubting their eyes. Never had a consort dared strike a prince in the palace—especially not on the second day of marriage. And the prince… wasn't even angry. He was smiling as he spoke to her.
"No," Li Ce replied. "I simply find his face disagreeable."
"What's so disagreeable about him?" Ye Jiao teased as they ascended the steps. "Just because you're handsome, refined, and noble in bearing doesn't mean others shouldn't be allowed to be... somewhat attractive."
Li Ce tried to keep a straight face, but the laughter in his eyes betrayed him. His lips curled despite himself, and he coughed, saying,
"He's only slightly good-looking. But… did you use 'noble in bearing' correctly?"
"It doesn't matter. I've got a whole basket of praise saved just for you," Ye Jiao winked.
At that moment, the palace doors opened, and solemnity returned to their expressions.
Before entering the hall, Li Ce reminded her,
"You must address him as 'Royal Father' now."
That single title marked her as one of the imperial family—from this moment onward, she belonged to him.
As they stepped into the hall, Li Ce cast a glance at the dragon-incense burner at the entrance. Judging from the depth of the ashes, the incense had burned for half an hour, meaning the Emperor had arrived shortly after morning court—perhaps he had already seen a few ministers.
The scent of rosemary filled the air—meant to induce sweating, invigorate the spleen, and sharpen the mind. There was no trace of the heavier, calming sandalwood, suggesting that the Emperor's angina had improved.
Relieved, Li Ce bowed low beside Ye Jiao.
A court lady announced loudly,
"Her Majesty is summoned to attend both internal and external matters."
It was a ceremonial phrase, signaling the Emperor and Empress were to receive a visiting subject.
Li Ce remained kneeling until he heard the Emperor take his seat, then raised his head slightly.
The Emperor wore his Tongtian crown and crimson gauze robe, facing west. The Empress was clad in a dark robe adorned with twelve blossoms, her hair styled in twin buns, seated facing south. Though dignified in appearance, both wore expressions of joy.
An attendant presented a woven bamboo basket filled with jujubes and chestnuts. Ye Jiao rose with it in hand, followed closely by the Food Court Official, who bore a second basket containing spiced dried meat.
These were traditional offerings from a new bride to her parents-in-law—a symbol of devotion and reverence.
Led by the court lady, Ye Jiao knelt and offered the gifts, completing the last of the wedding rites.
Though her steps were composed and graceful, Li Ce couldn't help but worry she might trip and spill the jujubes over the Emperor's head.
He watched her nervously as she completed the offering.
The Emperor's voice came gently,
"You may sit."
In truth, it was kneeling upon a prayer mat.
The Emperor glanced at the Empress and smiled.
"Are you satisfied with the daughter-in-law I chose?"
Tears welled in the Empress's eyes as she wiped them away.
"When I think back to that day of rebellion, and how Princess Chu risked her life to save the Crown Prince and Your Majesty, I still tremble with fear. I am grateful for her courage and ache for the blood she shed. Satisfied? I was overjoyed all day yesterday, and nearly forgot to attend to the Empress Dowager."
It was precisely what the Emperor wished to hear.
Mention of the rebellion brought to mind the three golden tokens.
The Emperor accepted a cup of tea from Gao Fu and asked,
"Now, tell me—what's this story with the tokens? The court rumors say my imperial token lays eggs like a hen!"
Ye Jiao suppressed a laugh behind her hand.
Li Ce, solemn once more, withdrew three golden tokens from his sleeve and presented them.
Ye Jiao first bowed and confessed:
"When Father bestowed the token upon your son, I happened upon it by chance and was shocked and bewildered, not knowing what it meant. Just then, Prince Chu was headed to Jinzhou to investigate the crossbow case. I secretly placed the token in his baggage, hoping it might be of aid."
Some consorts addressed the Emperor as "daughter-in-law," others as "your child"—Ye Jiao chose the latter for its intimacy.
"So," the Emperor nodded,
"The token Xiao Jiu presented in Jinzhou was real."
Ye Jiao nodded.
"I am guilty, for the token was no longer in my possession. Fearing you might assign me tasks where the token was required to command authority, I forged one myself."
"This finely crafted one—did you make it?" The Emperor picked the most intricate of the three.
The true "As If I Were Present" token had been forged at the founding of the dynasty—when metalworking was crude by today's standards. He recognized the real one and set it aside, then selected the most finely crafted of the remaining two.
"No," Ye Jiao pointed at another, embarrassed.
"That uneven, thinner one—made with as little gold as possible to avoid waste—that's my impudent forgery. I accept whatever punishment Father deems fit."
The Emperor didn't speak of punishment, but was puzzled.
"But I heard the token you raised in the Eastern Palace was brilliantly crafted, glowing with brilliance."
"That was the one Prince Wei gave me," Ye Jiao explained.
"He swapped my rough forgery for a refined imitation."
The Empress was still confused, but the Emperor understood.
"So, you gave my token to Xiao Jiu, forged a second one for yourself, then Prince Wei swapped your forgery for his—and took it to Jinzhou to stir trouble. Meanwhile, you used your original fake in the Eastern Palace to scare off the rebels. You had my sons kneeling left and right. You truly are—"
He took a deep breath, ready to scold, but couldn't find the right words. He looked at Gao Fu.
"Audacious beyond measure," Gao Fu offered softly.
"Exactly!" the Emperor snapped.
"Audacious beyond measure!"
Ye Jiao quickly knelt.
"I dare not ever again!"
Though the Emperor was clearly jesting, Li Ce still reached out, pressing his hand to the floor—so Ye Jiao's frantic kneeling would strike his hand instead of hurting her forehead.
As expected, the Emperor's tone shifted.
"Though bold, your actions were not without cause. Given the situation, it was the only way to buy time…"
[...]